AASPI MISSION

The purpose of Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) is to reduce suicide in Asian American communities in Illinois by education, training, advocacy, and research initiatives.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Share Your Story: Make a Difference

"Falling Petals"

Falling Petals is a custom theatrical production being designed by Erasing the Distance to shed light on how mental illness and issues of suicide impact the Asian-American community. The event is being held in collaboration with the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative on October 2, 2010.

Share your story with us. If you are an Asian-American/Indian-American woman or man who has been impacted by these issues, either personally or as a loved one, please contact us before August 21st to schedule a time to share your story. You can call 773.944.5062 x1 and ask for Brighid or email brighid@erasingthedistance.org.

Please forward this on to people you know who might be interested.

The show tells true stories but will be performed by professional actors. If your story is chosen for the production, we can use your name if you would prefer or are happy to use a pseudonym if that makes you more comfortable.


Thanks so much,
Brighid

Brighid O'Shaughnessy
Executive Artistic Director
Erasing the Distance
773.944.5062 X1
brighid@erasingthedistance.org

Check out our website at www.erasingthedistance.org.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Chicago Sun TImes Story on AASPI's Seminar on AA College Students' Perceptions of Suicide

On Friday December 4, 2009 AASPI along with Loyola University and Mental Health America IL sponsored a presentation that discussed findings from a series of focus groups that were held with Asian American college students on perceptions of suicide.

Thanks to Mark Brown from the Chicago Sun Times on writing the story linked to this post.

"Shedding light on suicide just might save a life
Experts focus on prevention in Asian-American community"


"Nobody much likes to talk about suicide or think about suicide or, in my case, write about suicide.

By the very nature of the topic, it's kind of depressing.

But with Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis finally concluding officially Friday that School Board President Michael Scott took his own life, this seems like one last chance to get people to read about something we really need to understand better...."

Click on post title to go to full story.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Asian American Students' Perceptions on Suicide Dec 4th

Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative & Loyola University
Invites you to:

Asian American College Students’ Perceptions on Suicide

WHAT:
A presentation on Asian American students' perceptions on suicide. An exploratory study was conducted with five focus groups, composed of Asian American college students, to explore perceptions on suicide within the Asian community. Hear the proposed risk factors and barriers to seeking out services for support. Collaborate with mental health professionals to highlight areas where we can connect with this population.

Objectives:
• Learn about risk factors and barriers to services.
• Find and share resources to help Asian communities.
• Learn about the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI)
• CEU’s provided: 1.5 hrs

WHEN: Friday , December 4, 2009 from 2pm to 4p.m.
WHERE: Loyola University Chicago
Lake Shore Campus
Regis Hall Seminar Room
6340 N. Winthrop Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626


Paid parking is available in the main parking structure ($7) off Kenmore Ave.;
for a map, visit http://www.luc.edu/values/campus/vt_lakeshore.html.

Refreshments provided.


Sponsors
Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative
Mental Health America IL
Loyola University


RSVP to Jessy Wilt: jwilt@luc.edu

Saturday, February 21, 2009

SAVE THE DATE: Suicide and Asian Americans; Sat. March 21, 2009

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) invites you to

Suicide and Asian Americans:

Perceptions, Realities, and Community Response

WHO should attend:

o College students and community members
o Social service , mental health, and health care providers
o Reporters (print, radio, television and internet media)


WHAT: An opportunity to:

+ Understand the challenge of addressing suicide in Asian American communities
+ Meet others interested in addressing suicide risk factors
+ Join AASPI’s coalition for suicide prevention



WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: UIC College of Nursing, 845 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago

PARKING: Some metered parking is available on Taylor.

Nearby paid parking garages are located at Paulina/Taylor or on Taylor/Wood. (~$8)

Paid parking is also available several blocks away at the Cook County Juvenile Court at Roosevelt/Ogden ($2).

Light refreshments will be provided.

Co-Sponsoring Organizations include:

Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) * Asian American Institute * Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) Chicago Chapter * Asian Chronicle, USA * Asian Giving Circle * Asian Health Coalition of Illinois * Asian Human Services * Cambodian Association of Illinois * Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on Asian Affairs * Chicago Foundation for Women's Asian American Leadership Council * Chinese American Service League * Chinese Mutual Aid Association * Cook County State’s Attorney’s Asian American Advisory Council * Hamdard Center* Illinois Secretary of State’s Asian American Advisory Council * Japanese American Service Committee * Korean American Community Services * Korean American Resource & Cultural Center * Korean American Women in Need (KAN-WIN) * Leadership Center for Asian Pacific Americans * Loyola University Chicago * Multicultural Youth Project * Northwestern University Asian/Asian American Student Affairs * South Asian Progressive Action Collective (SAPAC) * The University of Chicago Center for Race, Politics and Culture * The University of Chicago Office of Multicultural Affairs * UIC Asian American Resource & Cultural Center * UIC College of Nursing * Yehyang

This event is supported by the generous contributions of the family and friends of AASPI.


To RSVP or to join the planning committee, please contact AASPI: aaspichicgo@gmail.com

Saturday, February 7, 2009

CALL TO SERVE

CALL to SERVE
Open Board Positions

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SUICIDE IN ASIAN AMERICAN
COMMUNITIES?

WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE AS A LEADER?

DO YOU HAVE THE DRIVE TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE?

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) is
interviewing leaders to serve on our Board of Directors. A 501(c)(3)
organization, AASPI's mission is to reduce suicide in Asian American
communities in Illinois. We do our work through public education,
training, and sensitive community-based research.

Whom are we seeking? We are looking for individuals who are
concerned about Asian American suicide prevention, will commit
their time to AASPI, and will support the growth and development of
our programs.

What will you gain as a leader in AASPI? You will gain meaningful
leadership experiences that will help you grow professionally and
personally. You will build upon your skills and make connections to
the diverse Asian American communities.

Mentoring and professional networking is also part of the leadership
experience in AASPI. To be a great leader, you must learn by doing,
and by doing it well! AASPI has been transforming itself to serve the
Asian American community in the Chicagoland area. Our leadership
team today is strong and talented, and we work together to reduce
the stigma addressing suicide through education & dialogue.

Come and be a part of our leadership team to make a deeply
meaningful and impactful change in our community for the better.
We are looking for serious and real leaders who have passion and
enthusiasm for positive and lasting change.

Please send your resume and/or CV, along with a brief cover letter,
to aaspichicago@gmail.com by Monday, March 16, 2009. For more
information, please contact Jae Jin Pak, President, at
jaejin.pak@gmail.com .


The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) is a non-
profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reduce suicide in
Asian American communities in Illinois by:
• Reducing the stigma addressing suicide through education &
dialogue;
• Identifying, developing & implementing culturally competent
models for suicide prevention, postvention, and intervention;
• Advocating for culturally competent services;
• Conducting and supporting respectful & sensitive community-
based research;
• Serving as a source of information and resources on Asian
American suicide; and
• Encouraging the acceptance of mental health as a part of
community heath, viewing depression and other mental illness as
health issues to be discussed with clinicians.

Board Roles and Responsibilities
Board Members meet monthly to discuss, strategize and implement
initiatives to achieve our mission. Board responsibilities include:
• Serving on one or more of the following committees:
Communications, Fundraising, and Programs;
• Providing input, guidance and advice on events and projects.
• Building networking relationships for AASPI to support our
mission.
• Supporting AASPI financially (at a level to be determined by
each individual member).

Desired Qualifications
• Works effectively with a broad-based peer group and can
represent AASPI externally.
• Has excellent strategic and interpersonal skills.
• Has a strong interest in serving the community.
• We welcome applicants with a wide variety of professional skills
and experience, including but not limited to event planning, fiscal
management, fundraising, mental health care services,
organizational development, research, and web design.

Please send your resume and/or CV, along with a brief cover letter,
to aaspichicago@gmail.com by Monday, March 16, 2009. For more
information, please contact Jae Jin Pak, President, at
jaejin.pak@gmail.com.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Greetings,
All of us at Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Chick back next year for updates, news and events.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Clinician Referral Directory

Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) and Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI)

2008 Illinois Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Clinician Referral Directory

About the Clinician Referral Directory


The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) and the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) developed this clinician referral directory as a resource for individuals, families, and service providers. This directory includes providers who currently provide direct mental health services to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals in Illinois. Clinicians listed in this directory self-reported the services that they currently provide and the languages spoken in their offices. To view the directory, please click here. If you would like to be included in the next edition of this directory, please complete this form and email it to Dr. Usha Menon at umenon@uic.edu.

About AASPI and AHCI

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) was created in 2004, in response to the suicides of six Illinois Asian Americans within one month. AASPI’s mission is to reduce suicide in Asian American communities in Illinois and our activities include education and training programs for community members and clinicians. For more information, please visit www.aaspi.blogspot.com.

The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) was created by community members and health care providers in December 1996, and received non-profit status in 1998. AHCI’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Illinois through advocacy, technical assistance, education, and community-based research. For more information, please visit www.asianhealth.org.